ADodge

I became disabled in 1997. It never dawned on me to file with the VA for compensation. I filed with Social Security and was approved. For years I have struggled on get getting by with my family at times. Then recently when things got real bad a friend said I should go see the VSO in our city. Maybe I could get some help from them. So I did and come to find out there was a Veterans program in the state that helps out disabled Vets. He also suggested that I file for a service related disability claim. He gave me the paper work, I filled it out and he sent it in. I really didn't think much would come of it since so much time had passed and just figured the Navy would deny everything. Months went by I forgot about having filed and suddenly I got a letter from the VA asking me to come in for an exam and also giving me more information about registering on the ebenefits site. So I did all that went in for the exam. during this time I also filed for other service connected injuries. From the time I sent my initial claim in to the time it was approve it was all of 9 months I guess. And I was approved at 60%. That was for the lung condition and everything else was rejected??? Well I really haven't thought much about that, thinking that the claim was approved so quickly that I really didn't have time to send all the necessary information into them. But after reading a lot of these inquiries and questions on this site and also other sites I am beginning to get the real picture here. See it did seem rather strange to me that the lung disability was approved right away with the information the had which given some of the other claims that were service related and happened around the same time as the damage to my lungs so the initial medical history would be in my old navy health record same place where they found the information regarding the damage to my lungs. So why reject those claims? The information is right there and the civilian doctors I see and am treated by are all at the same hospital where they also have my permission and those doctors names to contact and get medical histories and information from. So now I am asking myself why didn't they schedule appointments for me to be seen and checked out back then for those injuries too? I went on the ebenifits site and looked up some info for medical interview and found some really screwy information pertaining to the medical exam or interview I had at the VA. The person I saw or the person who filled out those forms stated that there was no reason why I couldn't work!!! That there was only one lung condition when in fact I have 3 lung conditions I take medicine for and am treated for. Social Security doesn't even think I can work!!!! So what the hell was that person's issue. But when I think about it, no one ever asked me anything about working. So this is my question. I was going to get someone to help me when I refiled or reopened my cases this second time. but then thought well I just take it as it goes. But now I am realizing that is NOT a GOOD IDEA!!! When I tried to find someone other than an Attorney in my area (North Shore of Boston) I couldn't find anyone. So I was wondering if there is someone on this site that knows of a person that is not an attorney in this area that can help me. Or if you know of a Lawyer that can actually be trusted??? (Oxymoron word!) to help me with my case. I just know it is going to get real messy and I just don't have the strength to fight city hall by myself anymore!!! Know what I mean? Thanks to anyone with any kind of advice. AMD

I don't have a VSO if that is the person that is suppose to help you file your claim. There is a VSO in the city I live in and he was helpful to the point of telling me I should file for benefits since the damage to my lungs happened while I was active duty!!! And so he gave me the paper work I filled it out and he sent it in for me. And that is all the help I got as far as filing and eventually getting my disability. I did look into the whole process myself after a while. It was over 8 months before I heard back from them I had forgotten that I had filed!!! SO when I heard back from the VA there was information about going on the web and registering on ebenefits. So I did that then got educated about being a veteran!!!! I then filed for other compensation that the site said I could file for. I had to go for some tests at the VA for my lungs and supply the VA with medical records showing my medical history since I had left the service. I was given my disability based on my claim for the damage to my lungs and everything else was denied. I kinda laughed at that given I really didn't have time to submit all the necessary information for those claims. I didn't file for an appeal I simply refiled and then reopened the previous claims, to make sure the file dates were right. I have a strong suspiction that my second claim will be denied even though they have the information in my medical records. And because I have been thinking this I looked into getting someone to represent me!!! MY GOD that is a joke around here!!! I live on the North Shore of Massachusetts. There is NO ONE around here that can represent me unless it is a lawyer (I don't want a lair) oops I mean Lawyer!! Any way I guess I will just handle it myself as much as I can until I absolutely MUST get a Lawyer if that ends up being the case!!! But I have gotten correspondence from the VA about my claim telling me to contact this person that is the person in charge of this department that handles certain claims such as mine and I have called them several times and like most of the people I have called at the VA. I leave a message and NEVER get a call back!!!! And the funny thing is ...... I am not in the least surprised!!!

SO Has your medical team looked at your sleep issue from the other side? As in have you had the usual MSLT and the Overnight Sleep tests done? To see it there is an issue with your sleep? I have what is called Idiopathic hypersomnia A sleep condition that is also known as excessive day time sleepiness. For some reason my brain just decides that it is time for sleep. And that is what begins to happen. If you google this condition I am sure you will find many sites that will give many reason why this happens. This condition is a lot like Narcolepsy except for the fact that with this condition you don't have the lose of muscle function or what is called Catalepsy. The major symptoms of this condition are as follows; Daytime naps that do not relieve drowsinessDifficulty waking from a long sleep -- may feel confused or disorientedIncreased need for sleep during the day -- even while at work, or during a meal or conversationIncreased sleep time -- up to 14 to 18 hours per dayAnxietyFeeling irritatedLoss of appetiteLow energyRestlessnessSlow thinking or speechTrouble remembering I struggled with this condition for a majority of my life thinking I was never getting to bed on time or enough sleep. I was also being treated for ADHD which years ago the drug treatment for this condition was the same as it was for ADHD. But in 1999 they released a drug called Provigil and I started taking that and let me tell you. If you have this condition you will know it once you start taking that medicine. It was like a fog was lifted from my life. I take Nuvigil now a better form of Provigil. But my advice to you is go see a sleep specialist and have a MSLT done then the overnight test done. Those test can pretty much tell if this is what the problem is. (MSLT + Multiple Sleep Latency Test) I hope this helps you!